118 



Selections. 



[NO. 5, NEW SERIES, 



Unfortunately, by the time that the merits of the protective 

 coating in question were properly established, the huts at the va- 

 rious camps had been already coated with tar or other materials 

 which did not admit of removal from the wood, except at consi- 

 derable expense. 



The silicate of soda and lime coating has however been tried and 

 applied to a small extent at Aldershot and at Alderney. 



Fifteen tons of the silicate of soda have moreover been sent by 

 Government to China for the purpose of coating the hutting. 



The advantages of the material referred to for coating timber 

 may be embraced under the following headings. 



Istly. The simplicity of its application. 



2ndly. The circumstance that it forms an excellent protective 

 to wood against weather, and may therefore be employed as a sub- 

 stitute for tar or paint. 



The colour of the coating itself is nearly white ; a small admix- 

 ture of an ochre serves to remove the glazing nature of the coat. 



3rdly. The cheapness of the material, the cost of coating ten 

 square feet not exceeding two pence. 



4thly. - The great efficacy of the coating as a means of protection 

 against fire, as demonstrated by the experiments detailed in the 

 accompanying report. 



Although personally impressed with the idea, that a knowledge 

 of the existence of the material in question, open to general use 

 without reserve, and emanating indeed from Government itself, must 

 be of importance to the Honorable East India Company, I hesitat- 

 ed to adopt the step I am now taking, until I had consulted Colo- 

 nel Sandha.m, who urged me strongly to lose no time in bringing 

 the subject to their notice. 



I beg to enclose a copy of the directions for preparing timber 

 with the material which have been drawn up by desire of the In- 

 spector General of Fortifications and to state that it will afford me 

 pleasure to give any further information on the subject that it is in 

 my power to afford should the Honorable Court of Directors feel 

 desirous of taking it into consideration. 



